Prolotherapy for Knee OA: What to Expect 

Nearly 33 million United States adults have osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic degenerative condition that causes joint cartilage to break down. Over time, this makes the bones in the joints rub against each other, leading to stiffness and pain.

OA can affect any joint, but it commonly occurs in the knees. Many people with knee OA assume the only way to manage their discomfort is with surgery or prescription medication. 

While both options can be beneficial in certain situations, minimally invasive treatment with prolotherapy may be enough to provide noticeable relief.

In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, our HealthFirst team has created this blog to explain prolotherapy and how it helps relieve OA-related knee pain.

Understanding prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a type of regenerative medicine. It involves injecting a dextrose (sugar) solution into different areas of your knee joint. Once the dextrose enters your body, it acts as an irritant, stimulating a natural healing response. 

Specifically, the injections help stimulate localized blood flow, encourage the release of healing growth factors, and support pain relief and reduced inflammation. 

Prolotherapy may also increase collagen production, a protein known to strengthen the ligaments and tendons around joints.

Together, these factors make it easier to move comfortably and perform daily activities without the need for surgery or medication.

How to determine if you’re a candidate for prolotherapy

Before recommending prolotherapy, we review your health history, ask about your symptoms, and complete a physical exam. During the exam, we may X-ray your affected knee, evaluate the severity of your pain, and assess your mobility. 

Many people with knee osteoarthritis can benefit from prolotherapy. It’s important to tell us if you’ve been diagnosed with cellulitis or a bleeding disorder, or if you take prescription blood thinners. 

These factors can increase the risk of complications, so we may recommend an alternative treatment instead.

What to expect during prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a quick outpatient procedure that typically takes 30-45 minutes.

You sit or lie down on an exam table, sterilize your knee and the surrounding skin, and administer a series of four to 15 injections.

The number of prolotherapy injections you receive will depend on the severity of your arthritis and your pain. Regardless, prolotherapy typically isn’t a single treatment. To ensure optimal results, you’ll need to undergo regular injections over several weeks or months.

Each subsequent treatment encourages further healing, with the benefits continuing to build over time.

Recovery after prolotherapy

After prolotherapy, you can immediately return to your routine. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and other high-impact activities for at least 48 hours because rushing back into activity can damage the newly formed tissue.

It’s normal to experience mild swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection sites. In the days after treatment, drink plenty of fluids and apply ice as needed. Most symptoms subside within a day or two, but contact us if they persist.

See if you’re a candidate for prolotherapy 

Prolotherapy offers an effective, minimally invasive way to manage pain and stiffness caused by knee osteoarthritis. To see if you’re a candidate, contact the HealthFirst office in Cheyenne, Wyoming, today to schedule an appointment. 

After an in-office consultation and exam, we can make personalized treatment recommendations.